Insulation Manufacturers Association (IMA) has created an online CPD – Seven Steps to FireSafety – focusing on the context of fire in relation to the built environment and the priorities for fire safety. Aimed at anyone interested in the design, construction and operation of buildings the CPD outlines the seven
Standard will help maintain safety and performance amid shift to net-zero Stakeholders from across industry have collaborated to develop the UK’s first-ever national occupational standard (NOS) for the production, storage and transportation of hydrogen. As industry strives towards ambitious net-zero targets, hydrogen is set to play a crucial role in
Nearly a quarter of a million extra people are needed in construction by 2027 but outdated perceptions mean it is often overlooked as a career, according to a new report. The Chartered Institute of Building, CIOB’s The Real Face of Construction survey showed 57 per cent of respondents perceived average
Winvic has successfully delivered the first hands-on training sessions to Northampton College engineering students as part of the new Winvic Enrichment Programme. The initiative provides students with up to five days of construction industry insights, gives them practical experience related to their studies and develops their soft skills. It also helps Winvic,
One hundred electricans have benefitted from free Level 3 ‘18th Edition Wiring Regulations’ training at Leeds College of Building thanks to funding from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA). Delivered through the West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges, re[boot] and subsequent Skills Connect training is designed for adult learners looking to upskill, re-skill, and gain sector-specific qualifications within regional
Colleges across the UK are preparing to host the largest and longest-running construction skills competition, as approximately 1,000 students will compete in the SkillBuild 2023 regional qualifiers this year. SkillBuild is delivered by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and showcases some of the brightest talent, as highly skilled
Winvic has successfully delivered the first hands-on training sessions to Northampton College engineering students as part of the new Winvic Enrichment Programme. The initiative provides students with up to five days of construction industry insights, gives them practical experience related to their studies and develops their soft skills. It also
Constructing Excellence South West (CESW) has announced the launch of the first-ever diploma in Collaboration in Construction. The organisation charged with driving real change in construction has partnered with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) to deliver the programme which is designed to equip delegates with the tools
Elecosoft, the international building software specialist, has officially been awarded accreditation from the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Certification Service for its entire range of UK training courses. Elecosoft has been providing training programmes to its customers in a variety of formats for over 35 years, some of which were already
Fareham College had a visit from the Managing Director of a Hampshire housebuilder this week to help accelerate next generation learning programmes for future construction workers. James Dunne, Manager Director of Barratt Homes Southampton Division, attended Fareham College’s Civil Engineering Training Centre (CETC) and toured its state-of-the-art facilities, set up
Insulation Manufacturers Association (IMA) has created an online CPD – Seven Steps to FireSafety – focusing on the context of fire in relation to the built environment and the priorities for fire safety. Aimed at anyone interested in the design, construction and operation of buildings the CPD outlines the seven steps to fire safety that will protect people and buildings, and how each step is an integral part of the building design. Certified by CPD UK and the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT), the CPD – Seven Steps to Fire Safety – will enable viewers to reach an understanding of material science, product testing, product classifications and how this relates to regulations and standards. It will provide insight into the seven steps to fire safety and how each step is critical to the fire performance of a building. “The way we build and the importance of fire safety cannot be understated,” commented Simon Storer, Chief Executive of the IMA. “Whilst fire safety is a fundamental expectation of the modern built environment, it is important that fire safety is not compromised in order to deliver other performance standards. This CPD presentation will help construction professionals gain a better understanding of the priorities for fire safety, the importance of taking a holistic approach and how each of the seven steps to fire safety plays a key part in ensuring buildings are designed and built to the required standards.” To view the online CPD module, please click on the following link IMA CPD – Seven Steps to Fire Safety For more information about IMA visit www.insulationmanufacturers.org.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Standard will help maintain safety and performance amid shift to net-zero Stakeholders from across industry have collaborated to develop the UK’s first-ever national occupational standard (NOS) for the production, storage and transportation of hydrogen. As industry strives towards ambitious net-zero targets, hydrogen is set to play a crucial role in decreasing carbon emissions and the transition to greener, more sustainable forms of energy. In its role as leading skills specialist for the science and technology sector, Cogent Skills has supported employers by facilitating the development of the NOS. The steering group which developed the standard was chaired by the Tank Storage Association and included representatives from Cadent Gas, XPO Logistics, Downstream Oil Distribution Forum and Progressive Energy. The NOS has potential applications in a range of professions in industries including – but not limited to – the energy sector. It can form the foundation for qualifications used in apprenticeship frameworks, job descriptions for new roles, training and appraisals for existing staff – and help prospective staff when searching for jobs which match their skills and experience, among other uses. The hydrogen NOS has been approved by relevant authorities across the UK and will be developed further into qualification and apprenticeships. Executive Director of the Tank Storage Association, Peter Davidson, said: “Hydrogen will play a critical role in helping the UK achieve its net-zero ambitions by 2050. New infrastructure – from production and storage to import and processing facilities for hydrogen carriers – will be required to meet the future predicted demand. “A competent workforce will be key to the successful and safe operation of these facilities. The Tank Storage Association fully supports the development of National Occupational Standards in this area to ensure that those competency demands are met.” Chief Executive of Cogent Skills, Justine Fosh, said: “Cogent Skills is proud to have played its part in developing this important new standard. The hydrogen NOS will support new apprenticeships across the UK in a field which is set to becoming increasingly important as we all work together to reduce our carbon emissions and tackle the climate crisis.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Nearly a quarter of a million extra people are needed in construction by 2027 but outdated perceptions mean it is often overlooked as a career, according to a new report. The Chartered Institute of Building, CIOB’s The Real Face of Construction survey showed 57 per cent of respondents perceived average annual earnings to be lower than the true figure of £36,000. CIOB chief executive Caroline Gumble said: “Our survey shows there are big misconceptions around earning potential, job prospects and working conditions.” In fact, construction is £3,000 above the average annual salary across all sectors at £33,000. The survey shows while earnings across all sectors rose by 15 per cent between 2012 and 2022, the rise for full-time construction workers was 24 per cent. “Overly physical” and “dangerous” were among the top three answers respondents selected when asked to describe construction jobs despite more positions being office or site-based. Ms Gumble added: “This is something the sector needs to work together to address if we’re to bridge the existing worker shortfall that will over time become bigger if nothing is done.” Parents don’t encourage their children to go into construction The study showed the sector was often overlooked by individuals exploring job options or changing their career path. Just seven per cent of respondents said they would recommend construction as a career to their children or other young people. Londoners are most likely to recommend construction careers, 38 per cent, while those in Wales, 20 per cent, are least likely. “Without construction workers, including those in IT, planning, administration and management, as well as the frontline trades, there can be no new homes or other infrastructure and our economy will grind to a halt,” said Ms Gumble. Construction is the fourth largest employer in the UK outside of the public sector with 2.1m working in the industry and accounting for six per cent of gross value added to the economy. The Southeast has the biggest number of construction workers, 381,000, while the east of England has the largest percentage of its total workforce engaged in the sector at 7.9 per cent. “We want to see construction better represented in schemes to promote STEM – science, technology, engineering and maths – careers and vocational qualifications, not just in construction but more widely, given equal esteem with university degrees. “Construction must be promoted as a sector in which people can make a positive difference, drive sustainability, improve their communities and leave a real legacy.” Brokers Hank Zarihs Associates said development finance lenders were aware that staff shortages were a factor in residential and commercial projects being held up. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Winvic has successfully delivered the first hands-on training sessions to Northampton College engineering students as part of the new Winvic Enrichment Programme. The initiative provides students with up to five days of construction industry insights, gives them practical experience related to their studies and develops their soft skills. It also helps Winvic, suppliers and clients to meet strategic social value goals, while it supports further education establishments to meet their enrichment activity targets. The first Winvic Enrichment Programme is being delivered over a number of weeks in collaboration with client Prologis UK at The Hub at DIRFT, which is a new training, meeting and café facility on the Logistics Park available for occupiers and local businesses to use. A typical programme includes a site tour, an overview of contractor, subcontractor and developer roles and health and safety awareness training, and teaches CV writing, interview and presentation techniques. The first programme has been tailored with Northampton College to meet the needs of the 16 BTEC Engineering students who are in their first and second years of study; therefore sessions include hands-on setting out equipment training, a practical lesson on concrete mixes and a demonstration of concrete slab pouring inside an industrial warehouse. A number of Winvic’s subcontractors are involved to help get the students work ready across a variety of our planned programmes, including Stanford Flooring, Sitecrete and Collins Earthworks, who provided minibus transport for the students’ first day at The Hub at DIRFT and will be delivering a practical session about on-site plant using their machines later in the programme. Winvic delivered the DIRFT III Rail Infrastructure extension project and is currently constructing two large industrial units for Prologis at the site – the 327,000 sq ft DC327 and 628,000 sq ft DC628. Enquiries to training@winvic.co.uk about the Winvic Enrichment Programme are welcome from further education providers across the country; developed to be flexible and delivered over one week or day release, programmes are tailored to the college course or courses. Recent changes to the T-Level pathway mean one third of the required placement hours can now be undertaken as enrichment sessions. Kayleigh Merritt, Winvic’s Talent Development Manager, said: “We have been working to shape the Winvic Enrichment Programme for some time with subcontractors, clients and colleges, so it’s exciting to see it coming to life with students already giving wonderful feedback. Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do at Winvic and our experience in delivering social value activities illustrates that you can always do more and benefit more people when you work together. The Winvic Enrichment Programme supports the objectives of our clients and building occupiers, further education providers – offering numerous qualifications – and students who want to be work ready, armed with practical experience and accomplished soft skills. I’d like to thank everyone who has been involved so far and I’m looking forward to rolling the five-day initiative out to many more projects in the future.” David Mellor, Director – Development Management, Prologis UK, commented: “Early engagement with students from Northampton College has been great fun and we’re delighted to have been able to support Winvic with their initiative here at The Hub at DIRFT. Students have come away from their days with us enthused about the engineering opportunities we presented – whilst developing key skills to support their employment application process.” Paul Bailey, Teacher in Construction and the Built Environment at Northampton College, added: “Thank you to everyone at Winvic, Prologis and other subcontract firms for the time and effort that they have put into the impressive Enrichment Programme. We very much appreciate all of your effort in enabling this to happen for the benefit of the students, to allow them to meet with a range of professionals from the construction industry in an excellent training environment, as well as experience a live construction site and concrete batching plant. This programme has certainly broadened the student’s knowledge and understanding, which has enhanced their teaching experience, as well as providing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for teaching staff – they all clearly enjoyed the day, as did l.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
One hundred electricans have benefitted from free Level 3 ‘18th Edition Wiring Regulations’ training at Leeds College of Building thanks to funding from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA). Delivered through the West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges, re[boot] and subsequent Skills Connect training is designed for adult learners looking to upskill, re-skill, and gain sector-specific qualifications within regional skill shortage areas. Since July 2020, one hundred employed and self-employed electricians have completed the specialist training at Leeds College of Building. Re[boot] funding from July 2020 – March 2022 helped to upskill 70 electricians; a further 30 qualified through Skills Connect funding from January – March this year, with the latest cohort completing in Spring. The 18th Edition Wiring Regulations programme is aimed at practicing electricians with relevant experience and allied professionals needing to update and enhance their understanding of current wiring regulations. This is an essential qualification for anyone looking to certify that their installation work meets current building and wiring regulation guidelines. Colleges from the West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges, including Leeds College of Building, have delivered training to over 700 people in the region so far, and provided a springboard for careers in priority areas such as Digital, Engineering, Manufacturing, Green Skills, and Construction sectors. Yasmin Ali, Business Engagement Manager at Leeds College of Building, said: “We’re delighted that 100 individuals have gained sought-after qualifications through our partnership with the West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges and West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA). “Tutor Adrian Holland has been exceptional in delivering training on the latest electrical industry standards, helping students attain excellent pass marks. As a result, uptake for the training has been superb. This work is essential to help sustain in-demand professions such as these.” Georgia Williams, Project Manager at West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges, said: “It’s great to see that the work of our colleges, in partnership with WYCA, has made such an impact on the region. Leeds College of Building has worked hard to deliver the 18th Edition to electricians and through the Skills Connect and [re]boot projects, we’ve been able to allocate funding to make the course accessible and remove some of the barriers to learning for those wanting to progress within the sector. “We are continuing to work with WYCA, local employers, and our colleges to offer more opportunities to people who want to progress in their careers through Skills Connect and Skills Bootcamps programmes whilst addressing skills gaps for employers in the region.” To find out more about construction and built environment training for adults (18+), visit the Leeds College of Building website. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Colleges across the UK are preparing to host the largest and longest-running construction skills competition, as approximately 1,000 students will compete in the SkillBuild 2023 regional qualifiers this year. SkillBuild is delivered by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and showcases some of the brightest talent, as highly skilled learners and apprentices go head-to-head to be crowned winner of their chosen trade. Competitors will be tested on their technical abilities, time management, problem solving and skills working under pressure. However, the prestigious competition comes with many benefits, being proven to improve technical and employability skills, as well as advancing career options. There are 15 regional qualifiers taking place across the UK from 27 April through to the end of June. Running alongside the competition, venues will host a Construction Showcase event, inspiring young people to consider a career in construction. With thousands of primary and secondary school children due to attend, alongside local and national employers, the events will feature hands-on interactive activities and learning opportunities and showcase the amazing opportunities available to those who choose a career in construction. Following the regional qualifiers, the top eight scoring competitors from each trade category will be invited to take part in the UK national final. For the first time, this year’s national final will take place at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes on 21, 22 & 23 November 2023. The arena has previously played host to the National Badminton Championships, darts tournaments and various music concerts. CITB’s recent Construction Skills Network (CSN) report states that almost 225,000 extra workers will be required to meet UK construction demand by 2027. It also highlights that construction is expected to remain a sector where there is demand for workers, despite the current economic uncertainty. Covering 10 different trades, SkillBuild is a fantastic opportunity to alter perceptions and promote the diverse range of roles available. Jade Oakes won gold in the painting and decorating category last year. Speaking about the competition, she said: “The whole experience from beginning to end was fantastic. I was able to compete against some of the best across the country, meet professionals in our trade and make so many new friends along the way. It felt like a dream come true to win gold at such a prestigious competition! “For those about to compete, I would say enjoy every second! It’s not all about competing, it’s about putting yourself into an environment to thrive and meet so many amazing individuals along the way. Good luck, have the best time and paint your very best!” Tim Balcon, CITB Chief Executive, said: “I always look forward to the SkillBuild regional heats, as it’s the first glimpse we get into the fantastic variety of young talent coming through to industry. SkillBuild is a wonderful initiative which aims to attract a diverse range of recruits, and with the current skills gap, it places even greater importance on the competition and its ability to promote construction careers to a wider audience. “SkillBuild not only helps young people to grow personally, increasing their confidence and social skills, but it’s also proven to assist them professionally by developing their technical and employability skills. While a challenging experience, if you’re serious about a career in construction, SkillBuild is an excellent opportunity. I wish all competitors the very best of luck for the heats this year!” CITB would like to thank all the fantastic sponsors of this year’s SkillBuild, which include Albion Stone, BAL Adhesives, Band of Builders, British Gypsum, Institute of Carpenters, Crown Paints, Forterra, The Keystone Group, Nicholls & Clarke, NFRC, Schluter, SPAX, Stabila, Stone Federation, TARMAC, The Tile Association, The Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers and Weber. To find out more about SkillBuild and the regional qualifiers, visit Go Construct. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Winvic has successfully delivered the first hands-on training sessions to Northampton College engineering students as part of the new Winvic Enrichment Programme. The initiative provides students with up to five days of construction industry insights, gives them practical experience related to their studies and develops their soft skills. It also helps Winvic, suppliers and clients to meet strategic social value goals, while it supports further education establishments to meet their enrichment activity targets. The first Winvic Enrichment Programme is being delivered over a number of weeks in collaboration with client Prologis UK at The Hub at DIRFT, which is a new training, meeting and café facility on the Logistics Park available for occupiers and local businesses to use. “We have been working to shape the Winvic Enrichment Programme for some time with subcontractors, clients and colleges, so it’s exciting to see it coming to life with students already giving wonderful feedback. Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do at Winvic and our experience in delivering social value activities illustrates that you can always do more and benefit more people when you work together. The Winvic Enrichment Programme supports the objectives of our clients and building occupiers, further education providers – offering numerous qualifications – and students who want to be work ready, armed with practical experience and accomplished soft skills. I’d like to thank everyone who has been involved so far and I’m looking forward to rolling the five-day initiative out to many more projects in the future,” said Kayleigh Merritt, Winvic’s Talent Development Manager. A typical programme includes a site tour, an overview of contractor, subcontractor and developer roles and health and safety awareness training, and teaches CV writing, interview and presentation techniques. The first programme has been tailored with Northampton College to meet the needs of the 16 BTEC Engineering students who are in their first and second years of study; therefore sessions include hands-on setting out equipment training, a practical lesson on concrete mixes and a demonstration of concrete slab pouring inside an industrial warehouse. A number of Winvic’s subcontractors are involved to help get the students work ready across a variety of our planned programmes, including Stanford Flooring, Sitecrete and Collins Earthworks, who provided minibus transport for the students’ first day at The Hub at DIRFT and will be delivering a practical session about on-site plant using their machines later in the programme. Winvic delivered the DIRFT III Rail Infrastructure extension project and is currently constructing two large industrial units for Prologis at the site – the 327,000 sq ft DC327 and 628,000 sq ft DC628. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Constructing Excellence South West (CESW) has announced the launch of the first-ever diploma in Collaboration in Construction. The organisation charged with driving real change in construction has partnered with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) to deliver the programme which is designed to equip delegates with the tools and techniques to positively disrupt traditional ways of working within the industry. During an online 10-month programme, this academically benchmarked level five diploma explores exactly what individuals need to ensure that a collaborative culture is successfully adopted within construction. Those taking part will not only study the principles of collaboration and integration in construction but will also benefit from networking with like-minded peers, studying technology-led approaches and learning about new behaviours which are much needed in the industry. Andrew Carpenter, CEO of Constructing Excellence South West, said: “The need for collaborative work within the UK construction industry has never been greater. With the economy expected to go into recession in late 2022, the need for our sector to adopt lean principles is essential and to be able to do this we must embrace collaboration. “In a sector that is excessively fragmented, we have identified a will to work together to deliver consistent solutions. Delegates undertaking this diploma will learn important skills in collaborative working to the advantage of themselves, their organisation and any projects they’re involved in. “This diploma course provides individuals with the chance to be an early adopter in this critical area which is essential for the future of the industry. Collaboration is the way forward.” Following a successful pilot project which ran last year, the new programme will welcome 12 new delegates in January 2023. The course runs for 10 months which includes one-half day a month followed by additional reading material and homework. If you are passionate about collaboration and want to know more about being part of this essential change visit: https://constructingexcellencesw.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Diploma-2023-Mids.pdf Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Elecosoft, the international building software specialist, has officially been awarded accreditation from the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Certification Service for its entire range of UK training courses. Elecosoft has been providing training programmes to its customers in a variety of formats for over 35 years, some of which were already CPD accredited. Now the CPD accreditations have been extended to encompass all UK training courses. The CPD certification across the full course programme recognises Elecosoft’s commitment to providing high-quality training to the construction professionals working in the built environment industry. In a recent report published by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), it was noted that it is critical to invest in new skills for workers to ensure they stay in the construction industry. Shawn Ackermann, Elecosoft’s professional services director comments, “The team has worked extremely hard to ensure our courses are delivered to the highest of standards and we are very proud to have gained CPD Accreditation.” The CPD certification assures Elecosoft’s customers that the training their colleagues undertake supports the obligations and policies of professional bodies and academic institutes. Ackermann continues, “With the CPD accreditation, Elecosoft is now industry recognised to service its customers with the latest skills and knowledge needed to use our software in the ever-evolving built environment industry. Each UK training course, including training on our ShireSystem Maintenance (CMMS) and Facilities Management (CAFM) software, reinforces knowledge and practical implications for customers of our extremely powerful tools.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Fareham College had a visit from the Managing Director of a Hampshire housebuilder this week to help accelerate next generation learning programmes for future construction workers. James Dunne, Manager Director of Barratt Homes Southampton Division, attended Fareham College’s Civil Engineering Training Centre (CETC) and toured its state-of-the-art facilities, set up in 2017 to address the skills shortage hindering civil engineering growth and expansion in the south of England. Its high-profile apprenticeship programme has been supporting the industry ever since, by creating more jobs and opportunities for skilled groundworkers in the region. James was shown around CETC’s purpose-built two-acre mock construction site, dedicated to the delivery of its specialist Civil Engineering and Groundworks Apprenticeship, and looked around neighbouring classroom areas, where relevant theory is taught to support the students’ practical training. Barratt Homes is committed to providing career prospects for young people in the local area, and the MD was keen to see how the developer could widen its support for budding construction workers in the region, in collaboration with CETC. James said: “At Barratt, we want to provide young people with an alternative to full-time university study by helping them to explore their potential in the building industry. “We already offer apprenticeship schemes to the next generation of tradespeople but are looking to expand this support. CETC is offering an incredible facility here in Fareham, and I’m thrilled to have been offered the chance to look around today. Hopefully we can discover a way we can work together in the future.” Director of CETC, David Richardson, said: “CETC was set up to tackle the skills shortage in the civil engineering and construction industry, and to nurture the talent of our young people in the area. “It has been a real pleasure to show James from Barratt around today, and it would be fantastic if we can work alongside the developer in providing these important apprenticeship schemes to the local community.” CETC was created after a group of local civil engineering employers set up the Solent Civil Engineering Employer Group (SCEEG) in conjunction with Fareham College to produce a unique apprenticeship training programme to support the construction industry across the region and create more jobs and opportunities for skilled groundworkers. Barratt Homes works in tandem with the communities where it is building new homes, to offer career opportunities for young people. For more information on the housebuilder’s new developments in Hampshire, visit: Harbour Place and Pebble Walk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
